You’ve heard of The Reader? Well, Paul Gross’ production company Whizbang Films has optioned the story of another reader, Clarence Brazier, who learned to read at the age of 93. Now 102 years old, Brazier signed the deal earlier this year.

Gross’ partner Frank Siracusa tells Playback Daily that Brazier’s century-spanning tale came to their attention through a 2006 article by Roy McGregor of The Globe and Mail. ‘We thought it was an amazing story.’

Siracusa says the project will hinge on finding the right scribe. ‘We’re trying to find somebody who can take a story that unfolds over 100 years and make a compact story with dramatic punch without making it melodramatic. We want to make a feature.’

Brazier spent most of his life in the northern Ontario town of Timmins. His father, a farmer, was blinded by an explosion while clearing tree stumps from his newly acquired land. At age five, young Clarence became his father’s eyes. By age seven, he was practically running the farm. His remarkably active life never included reading, even though he worked in local politics and ran the farmers union. His wife covered for him. It wasn’t until her death, after 64 years of marriage, that Brazier realized he needed to read in order to remain active in the world.

Whizbang and Rhombus Media coproduced Passchendaele and recently announced plans to shoot Gross’ next starring role, Gunless, a Canadian spoof of the Wild West. That film is expected to go to camera next spring.

Siracusa says development on the as-yet-untitled project is underway, with researchers conducting interviews. A crew recently returned from filming Brazier’s 102nd birthday party.